True friendships challenge us. They can be filled with joy and fraught with conflict . When Ann Patchett and Lucy Grealy met early in their writing careers, they formed an indelible bond that would see them through success, setbacks, and heartbreaking consequences. This book is a beautiful tribute from one friend to another.
On New Year’s Eve 1937, sensible working girl Katey meets dashing banker Tinker Grey, and life is never the same. Amor Towles’ debut novel chronicles the social strata of post-Depression New York with sparkling wit and gritty realism. Wonderful characters and beautiful prose--simply a great read!
If you read The Glass Castle, you’ll be no stranger to the unconventional makeup of Jeannette Walls’ family. This book takes it back a generation and tells the amazing story of her intrepid maternal grandmother, Lily Casey. You’ll marvel as she survives floods, droughts, and forges a life in the vast southwest territory of early 20th century America with humor and grit. I was transfixed.
Bouncing back and forth between Victorian England and contemporary Washington, DC, Enter the Aardvark is a riotous and completely unique read, full of twists and turns. There are characters to love and despise, events that both alarm and inspire, and a rich balance of charm and snark. Perfect for anyone who needs a fresh quarantine distraction!
Sounds Like Titanic is a wild ride through the unbelievable, real-life experience of Jessica Chiccehitto Hindman. As an aspiring violin student in New York City who realizes she is way out of her league both financially and artistically, she takes a job that sounds like a dream come true--playing in a classical music ensemble on the weekends--for cash! But the ensemble is a sham, the players are faking it over a recorded soundtrack, and the pace is excruciating. And yet, does anyone care? The CDs sell like hotcakes and she is playing on TV!!! The author writes with delicious detail, scorching humor, and a complete lack of pretense. The reader is left to ponder the fragile balance between reality and illusion, and how much it really matters.
